Secretary-General of the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development
Twenty years ago, in June 1992, world
leaders gathered in Rio de Janeiro for
a landmark event: the United Nations
Conference on Environment and
Development (the Rio Earth Summit).
Its historic outcomes sparked an
unprecedented sense of enthusiasm
and optimism. Agreement was
reached on important conventions
and principles, addressing such issues
as biodiversity, climate change and
forests. The Earth Summit sent a
message that working together can
lead to solutions.